Austin Neally Jr.

TSGT Austin Neally Jr., USAF, Ret.

Austin Neally Jr. was born Thursday, February 11, 1937, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA to Austin Neally Sr. and Irene Adams. Austin is survived by his eldest daughter, Helen Reinstein (Irving) and their children, Shua and Jordan, all of New York. He is also survived by his sister, Lucy Adams and nephews, Charles Adams and Will Lucas.

While still in Baltimore, he met and married Edith Jones. Together they had 3 beautiful children, Michele (deceased), Myra and Michael. From this family he is survived by his daughter, Myra Hall; son, Michael (Kim); and grandchildren, Robert, Kaylah and Nicholas.

Austin’s New Mexico family who also survive him include Danny III’s children, Victor (Adrienne), Danny (Valerie), Dionne and David (Rebecca); 17 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; forever daughter-in-law, Denise Lopez (Pat) and their children “of course grandchildren”, Gabe and Emily. Austin was preceded in death by his sister, Delores Lucas.

Austin joined the United States Air Force and retired after serving 20 years. During his 20-year time in the Air Force he enjoyed many adventures in Alaska, Iran, Europe, and other parts of the United States. He said, “I joined not only to serve, but to travel.” He then spent another 20 years working for the U.S. government with the VA hospital.

In Albuquerque, NM during the 1970’s he met and married Michelle “Mimi” Neally (deceased). Together they had a son, Mark Neally who survives Austin, along with his wife, Tristan and their daughter, Tatum.

Austin lived a full life with many adventures, some heartbreaks all while trying to do the best he could. Right now, he would tell us, please celebrate my life, for I have been called home to be with God and to those who went before me.

So many would just say, “thank you Austin” for volunteering your time to the neighborhood kids, soccer organizations, Cub Scouts of America, cooking Neally BBQ at the State fair grounds and Balloon Fiesta park for the NAACP, (there would be a line a mile long for his BBQ) Union President, working on political campaigns, support for civil rights, and community service. Some of the guys said thank you for showing us how to be men. Others would say thank you for being a positive black role model. He would say,” I tried to learn from my mistakes and do better”. He was a hard-working blue-collar man who taught me to go for it. Later in life he went back to school and earned his associate degree and then a bachelor’s degree in business. There are many things that can hold a person back, but he always approached life with a smile and a joke. He loved using humor to diffuse any situations. Old crazy Neally he would refer to himself.

We will miss him dearly.

Due to our current health restrictions, Austin’s services are private. For more information, please contact his family.